Jumping to some Raiders conclusions

Jumping to some conclusions before enjoying a family Mother’s Day outing heading into a week where I’m prohibited from posting (it’s technically called a vacation, although I’m not going anywhere):

— It’s come to my attention that a lot of people have a difficult time comprehending the written word.

To summarize:

JaMarcus Russell may have been a bust anyway. Probably would have been one, in fact. I believe I duly noted his deficiencies. We may learn at some point his issues go far beyond simply being, as Gary Peterson put it, lethargy addicted. Or perhaps not.

But anyone who doesn’t understand Russell walked into the absolute worst situation possible with the Raiders ought to sit back and order another Kool-Aid.

And make it a double.

— Yes, putting Russell on waivers was a good thing (hard to believe no one picked him up at the bargain price of $9.45 million). The very definition of addition by subtraction, it followed a sensible offseason free agency plan and a widely acclaimed draft as perhaps the best Raiders offseason in years.

Fan groups were calling for the head of Al Davis and even putting it on billboards around the Coliseum. Read some of the national press of late, and if there was an award for comeback executive of the year, Davis would be the leading candidate.

Can’t say I disagree, but there are still some major areas of concern.

The two biggest issues are the most important in the sport _ blocking and tackling. Love what they attempted with the latter (Rolando McClain, Lamarr Houston), but am wondering how much they did with the former in terms of immediate help (Jared Veldheer, Bruce Campbell).

— A third are of concern _ the corps of Raiders wide receivers were woefully thin with the absence of Chaz Schilens (recovering from foot surgery) and Louis Murphy (sprained ankle).

Terrell Owens, anyone?

Offer him an incentive-laden contract and cut him at the first sign of trouble and there’s considerably more reward potential than risk.

— Another break for the Raiders in an offseason that just keeps on giving. Houston linebacker Brian Cushing, the NFL’s defensive rookie of the year who was suspended for violating the league policy on performance-enhancing drugs, will serve four-game suspension. The Texans’ fourth game is in Oakland.

— Baltimore tackle Jared Gaither has been officially moved aside in favor of Michael Oher and would seem to be available by trade. Gaither will likely start on the right side for the Ravens but could be available by trade. Since the Raiders blew the chance to have Oher as their left tackle, instead drafting Darrius Heyward-Bey, might they inquire about Gaither?

It depends on how much of a hard sell Hue Jackson gives to Davis. Jackson was on the Ravens’ coaching staff and knows Gaither well, and by all appearances at the mandatory minicamp, has taken control of the Raiders offense.

— Condolences to former Raiders linebacker Kirk Morrison, who has made repeated poignant references to the death of his grandmother on his Twitter account, traveling back to the Bay Area for funeral services.

— An e-mailer sent along statistical evidence to support the contention that Darren McFadden goes down too easily, while advancing the cause of Michael Bush.

According to profootallfocus.com statistics, Bush ranked second in the NFL behind Kansas City’s Jamal Charles with 3.4 yards per carry after first contact. McFadden was ranked 38th out of 61 qualifiers at 2.4 yards after contact, which was actually a slight improvement from his 2.1 figure as a rookie.

Situations change with down and distance and other variables, but it’s at least worth noting . . .

— More evidence that nothing is at it seems in the NFL _ in this Los Angeles Time article, Mike Lombardi supports the Raiders and Lane Kiffin supports JaMarcus Russell . . .

ESPN’s Bill Williamson on Zach Miller: “Miller is so talented even JaMarcus Russell succeeded with him.”

lol…good point, Bill. That says a lot, indeed. I look forward to seeing what he will do this year. As pointed out by M Lonetree, the concussions are a concern.

M Lonetree

Yesterday at the mom day brunch the woman stitting next to me, she in her late ’80’s, expressed her delight at the dismissal of JaMierda from Raiderland.

yep even little old white-haired ladies who seldom follow football know that excising JaMalignancy was a very healthy choice.

The Big Banana

On Haynesworth being unhappy in Washington….look, him being unhappy could be good for other teams looking to add a stout DT, I get that. But what kind of person is this to be throwing fits after having already been paid 32 million in his short time in Washington? 32 MILLION! And now, his teammates are calling him out.

the_big_one_of_83

people dont like T.O but they want haynesworth thats grand

the_big_one_of_83

henderson is cheaper than haynesworth and has the same crazy motor

RaiderRockstar

Haynesworth is not a 3-4 NT or DE. that is why he wants to be traded to a 4-3 team. it’s not about money, his teammates, the coaching staff, the city or his team.

It’s a bad career move. PERIOD.

Marcus Stoud is now a 3-4 DE in Buffalo, just like Glenn Dorsey in KC. and Sapp once upon a time in Oakland.

how many 350+ pound 3-4 DE’s do you know in the league?

that describes Fat Albert’s situation in Washington. they are putting him in a position to flop. this will hinder his Pro Bowl ability, Hall of Fame ability and his future contract(s). the NFL is a business and Albert wants to remain a 4-3 NT. the Redskins playing hardball is pretty jacked up, even though they do own his rights.

The Big Banana

It’s a bad career move. PERIOD.

Rockstar – you taking a page out of the priesttj blogging handbook? lol…

does that excuse 10 drops and the POTENTIAL for a loud mouthed turd in the locker room or on the sidelines?

the only guy in Jason Campbell’s face should be Hue Jackson.

and do we need somebody mixing it up with the play caller or WR Coach?

so what if he acted like a model citizen in Buffalo?

all 3 stops prior he was a malcontent. and why didn’t Buffalo give him another year or two if he has something left in the tank ???

RaiderRockstar

“Only” 18 million over 3 years?? Thats 6 million a year….! haha

***

DK: Tommy Kelly was paid out more than $25 million over the past 3 years (2007-2009)

the contract he signed prior to the 2007 season was for 7 years, $50.5 million

from Wiki:

On February 28, 2008, the Oakland Raiders signed Kelly to the largest contract ever given to a defensive tackle on the eve of free agency. Kelly, a defensive end scheduled to move to defensive tackle in 2008, signed a seven-year, $50.5 million contract with $18.125 million in guarantees and$ 25.125 million in the first three years.

DKnight007

How old is Mush…he has to be just as old as TO is BO!

RaiderRockstar

at 36 years old Terrell Owens finally decides to become a high character guy?

nah. something is fishy

DKnight007

# RaiderRockstar Says:
May 10th, 2010 at 10:14 am

“Only” 18 million over 3 years?? Thats 6 million a year….! haha

***

DK: Tommy Kelly was paid out more than $25 million over the past 3 years (2007-2009)

the contract he signed prior to the 2007 season was for 7 years, $50.5 million

from Wiki:

On February 28, 2008, the Oakland Raiders signed Kelly to the largest contract ever given to a defensive tackle on the eve of free agency. Kelly, a defensive end scheduled to move to defensive tackle in 2008, signed a seven-year, $50.5 million contract with $18.125 million in guarantees and$ 25.125 million in the first three years.

^^^^^^^^
Like I said….I think Kelly and that fat ugly contract are next on the chopping block for the Raiders, unless he restructures down which he might be more willing to do than the dumb lazy JaMierda Russell

MistaBrown

Tell me priesttj wasn’t in here last night calling people idiots after telling us HOW J Russell was on his way to a GREAT season, in shape, seizing the job, etc etc

Michael Turner heard some fat jokes one year ago when he may have weighed close to 260 pounds in minicamp. Some said the 5-foot-10 Turner looked like a fullback.

Turner said he is back at his listed weight of 244 pounds, thanks to a renewed commitment to proper diet and conditioning.

Even Mughelli is impressed.

“I definitely see a difference,” Mughelli said. “He’s done a lot this year working on the treadmill, the step machine. Whatever he can do to get some of that weight off, he’s doing it. Mike’s done a good job and I think it’s going to show this season.”

Turner also earned compliments for his trimmer look from coach Mike Smith, who said the running back has fully recovered from an ankle injury that forced him to miss five of the last seven games in 2009.

“I thought Michael looked very good,” Smith said. “No ill effects from the ankle. I thought he was putting his foot in the ground and cutting, and that was the big thing we wanted to make sure we saw, his ability to cut.

“I think he’s in great shape. He spent a lot of time this offseason with our athletic performance department working very, very hard.”

***

Haven’t read anything like this about Mike Bush!

the_big_one_of_83

we dont need the model citizen cuz other than buffalo he caught ten plus TD in his career who had more than 5 td for us last yr

2romes

Just say no to T.O. I’m not saying T.O. is washed up,but the NFL already knows his entire playbook and it’s easy to read!!!

RaiderRockstar

Murphy would have had 5 TD’s last year, but the refs robbed us on Week 1 MNF …

the_big_one_of_83

but Moose is and always has been a vet mentor type. never complained about playing time or demanding the ball. never hesitant to take a young guy under his wing and never dropped so many passes!

he dosent want to win as bade if u ask me dosent complain about PT we should resign walker if hes not going to want to be on the field desire to win is gone